Fisher’s Files: Bethel Park jumping on opponents in 1st half

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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One month into the season, the Bethel Park football team was 3-1 and averaging a hefty 38.2 ppg.

Bethel Park scored 40-plus points in nonconference wins against Seneca Valley (43-26) and West Mifflin (41-7) and eclipsed 50 points in a 56-28 victory over Armstrong.

The Black Hawks’ only loss was a tough 17-13 decision against Mars.

While the Bethel Park gridders were scoring at a high rate, they were dominant particularly in the first half of games with 97 points, averaging 24.3 points in the first two quarters.

The team has been sparked offensively by the passing efficiency of senior quarterback Evan Devine, who averaged a substantial total of 230.5 yards in the air per game. Devine connected on 53 of 86 tosses for 922 yards and 10 touchdowns with five interceptions.

The Black Hawks’ leading receivers consisted of junior RB/DB Will Sabatos with 296 yards and two TDs on 16 catches, senior RB/LB David Dennison with 236 yards and three TDs on 15 receptions, and junior WR/DB Santino Nowozeniuk with 13 catches for 209 yards and one TD.

Other pass-catchers included senior TE/DL Jovian Smith (4-93, 1 TD), senior FB/LB Charles Simmons (4-49, 3 TDs), junior WR/DB Brayden Bruckner (1-39) and freshman WR/LB Lucas Skerbetz (1-21).

Dennison proved to be dynamic in the rushing department, running for 583 yards and five touchdowns on 90 carries, averaging a healthy 145.8 yards per game.

Sabatos and Devine also scored twice on the ground while junior RB/DB Tyler Miller added one rushing touchdown.

Dennison led the team in all-purpose yardage with 852 or 213 per game. Sabatos was next with 386 yards or 96.5 per game.

Bethel Park racked up 1,759 yards in total offense, averaging 439.8 yards per game and 8.2 yards per play. In all, the Black Hawks accumulated 2,010 total yards or 502.5 per contest.

Dennison led in scoring with eight touchdowns for 48 points, followed by Sabatos with five scores (30 points) and senior kicking specialist Xavier Jackson with two field goals and 19 PAT kicks.

On defense, Bethel Park allowed 78 points through four games, or 19.5 ppg.

The leading tacklers consisted of junior FB/LB Jack Johnson (17 stops), Bruckner (16), Smith (16), sophomore TE/DL Nathan Cirincione (15) and senior WR/DB Kahanuola Kuewa (15).

Other leading contributors defensively included Simmons, senior TE/LB Tim Ondo, Dennison, senior OL/DL Bryan McGuire, Nowozeniuk and junior OL/DL Nathan Purcell.

Bruckner had three interceptions with 100 yards in returns while Nowozeniuk chipped in with two interceptions. Bruckner also broke up two pass attempts.

Cirincione blocked one kick and recovered one fumble; Sabatos forced one fumble and tacked on a 12-yard fumble recovery.

In the win Sept. 12 at West Mifflin, the 6-foot-4, 178-pound Devine completed 6 of 9 passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns. Simmons reeled in two TD passes while Smith and Dennison added one apiece.

Dennison (6-2, 190) also ran for 100 yards on 10 carries as the visitors outrushed the Titans, 175-0.

Smith, Ondo, Kuewa and Johnson paced the Black Hawks’ defensive effort.

The visitors were credited with nine tackles for losses by Smith, Ondo, Dennison, sophomore FB/DL Richard Johnson, Sabatos, Miller, junior OL/DL Ryan Bergia and Circincione — along with one group stop.

Smith also accounted for a 12-yard sack in the game.

Tags: Bethel Park